If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Consider using [spoiler] tags or give some other kind of warning if you talk about recent actions in TV series or new movies in the entertainment forum (or elsewhere)

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

Originally Posted by maxpowr9

Totally. It's why so many people lambast A Dance With Dragons because it literally goes nowhere slowly and the book leaves more questions than it answers.

@ Corny

I dunno about Harrenhal but I know Osha got "amalgamated" with Jojen and Meera which was a good way to condense the cast. They also killed off Irri which is a bit interesting as she is still in the books. I will say, next Sunday, I will cream my pants when Brienne and Jamie meet for the first time. Even Nikolaj said it was his favorite scene he ever filmed.

I was wondering what the heck had happened to the Reeds. That's really too bad, because I would have loved to see Meera and Jojen brought to life. They play such a big part in Bran's story, I'm disappointed they got rid of the characters in the show.

As for Jaime and Brienne, I am sitting on pins and needles waiting for them to meet. I love the both of them in the books.

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

The writers are killing me this season with all the ridiculous changes. This past episode was full of pointless conversations that didn't even happen in the book! The conversations between Tywin and Aria seem too unrealistic. He's supposed to be fighting Rob instead of sitting there talking with Arya all the time. If they didn't waste time with all these useless conversations they could have had Jojen and Meera in the story and kept up with the real story.

Dany already had a hard time making it through the desert but to have Irri and others killed and her dragons taken is fucking crazy lol! I don't understand how they can move forward with the rest of the books when they take out characters who are minor but still present. If they didn't wai

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

To be honest .. Dany's storyline in this book was fucking boring, except for the house .. that she most likely will visit this week. So far, those changes are ok with me. I just don't like that they slaughtered all her people.

The harrenhal changes worry me more. The Arya-Tywin talk isn't inheritly bad, as it deepens Tywin, but still seems out of place. My guess is that they are trying to reduce the number of characters, to make it easier for people who didn't read the books.

I want to use my last line, to applaud Alfie Allen (Theon) for doing an amazing job

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

the actors are incredible. I hope the child king and his hand gets some type of award. This last episode was a little weird. The hand acted as if he was going to hug his sister when she started crying but he kind of turned away the way my dog does when she has done something wrong. That scene was just odd.

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

With the Tyrion/Cersei dynamic a lot of fans are criticizing the show for humanizing Cersei (and Tywin too) which IMO is a better thing. It will soften her blow from grace but I find it more interesting that D&D are exploring the fact that Joffrey is just pure evil and how the other Lannisters deal with this horrible person. That is not really touched upon in the books, at least to my memory.

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

Even in the books, Tyrion basically admits to being like Jamie as a kingslayer "for the realm"

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

I always had a more "human" Tywin in mind. At least behind the surface. Cersei on the other hand ..

Oh and Tyrion always knew how bad Joffrey is. I believe in aFoC even Kevan Lannister talks quite bad about him it at some point.

I always pictured Tywin as cold and calculating. He does shift much of his blame to his children and not on himself which is probably why I think that. Cersci is a wannabe Tywin but she doesn't have all her marbles in the bag and as the books go on, more marbles fall out. To quote futurama: "deception's the curse of my whimsical gender".

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

So, Dan & Dave totally dropped the ball with Catelyn. In the books, Catelyn releases Jaime AFTER she discovers that Theon [supposedly] killed Bran and Rickon. That motive causes her to get her girls back at any cost. In the show, that is clearly not the case and that scene between Rob and Catelyn is a total wash and just completely out of character for Catelyn. It seems that many other reviewers who have read the books feel this has been the biggest faux pas yet in the series.

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

This last episode was full of nonsense to me as I'm a hardcore Song of Ice and Fire nerd lol. I can't believe they did such a good job last season of sticking to the book but doing such a horrible job this season. I understand that the story is very long and they have to shorten it but that's all the more reason to not include stupid, time wasting scenes like Tywin and Arya being bff's, Dany losing her dragons and Rob's budding romance. None of those things happened and it's a big waste of time to me.

Arya should have been cup bearing for Roose Bolton like in the books because Tywin was busy fighting battles. He did go to Harrenhal but he never spoke with her. Rob and Cat should be at Riverrun where they got word that Bran and Rickon are dead. I didn't like how rob had her put under guard like some criminal. I think it was her brother at Riverrun who wouldn't let her leave her room for a while, but Rob came and let her roam free.

Dany should have already gone to the House of the Undying by now and should be getting ready to secure an army. I don't get why they are killing off characters who are still living in the books and omitting the others completely. There were so many characters that they didn't need to add any new ones either. I could go on and on because there are more things they are doing wrong that just don't make sense.

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

Maybe it's because I haven't read the books but I really can't complain much about this show. It's awesome! The last two episode (7+8) were a little lame but last night totally made up for that. I have never been a big Stanis fan and so I was hoping for his fleet to be obliterated and that's what happened. Loved that epic wildfire scene!!!

Where does this leave everything before next week's finale? The Lanisters have won the battle against Stanis with the support of Loras and his troops. He probably wanted to avange Renly and get back at Stanis teaming up with his enemy. I would have liked it more though if Loras had joined Robb Stark. I haven't read any spoilers but I suspect that his sister will marry that crazy idiot (Joffrey) to become Queen. Where does this leave Sansa? She should have fled with the Hound when he offered to take her to Winterfell. I'm wondering if we'll see another big battle next week between the Lanisters on the one side and the Starks on the other. Robb wanted to take the Kingdom to avenge his father's murder. Even though we didn't see him this week I assume nothing has changed on that front...

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

Originally Posted by axlwhity

Maybe it's because I haven't read the books but I really can't complain much about this show. It's awesome! The last two episode (7+8) were a little lame but last night totally made up for that. I have never been a big Stanis fan and so I was hoping for his fleet to be obliterated and that's what happened. Loved that epic wildfire scene!!!

Where does this leave everything before next week's finale? The Lanisters have won the battle against Stanis with the support of Loras and his troops. He probably wanted to avange Renly and get back at Stanis teaming up with his enemy. I would have liked it more though if Loras had joined Robb Stark. I haven't read any spoilers but I suspect that his sister will marry that crazy idiot (Joffrey) to become Queen. Where does this leave Sansa? She should have fled with the Hound when he offered to take her to Winterfell. I'm wondering if we'll see another big battle next week between the Lanisters on the one side and the Starks on the other. Robb wanted to take the Kingdom to avenge his father's murder. Even though we didn't see him this week I assume nothing has changed on that front...

Spoiler alert! Littlefinger in the book never talked to the Starks after Cat left King's Landing. He really went off to Highgarden where Loras and his sister is from and they went back home there after Renly was killed. Tywin came back with Highgarden and won the war at King's Landing. Joffrey is gonna call off his engagement with Sansa so he can marry Margaery but Sansa won't be allowed to leave still. She's still their hostage as long as her brother Rob is out there.

This episode was really good despite the annoying little changes they make. The story A Clash of Kings was such a long one that they needed more than 10 episodes, maybe even another season, but they did a good job squeezing it all into 9 episodes so far. I guess the next one is gonna be all about Dany in the House of the Undying and her securing her army.

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

Sweet. The finale will be an extra 10 minutes longer. What has everyone thought of this season? I thought it was good, and pretty much stuck to the book with a few minor changes. Next season is going to be awesome.

- - - Updated - - -

Sweet. The finale will be an extra 10 minutes longer. What has everyone thought of this season? I thought it was good, and pretty much stuck to the book with a few minor changes. Next season is going to be awesome.

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

Originally Posted by Ohiospeedo

Sweet. The finale will be an extra 10 minutes longer. What has everyone thought of this season? I thought it was good, and pretty much stuck to the book with a few minor changes. Next season is going to be awesome.

I think I read on HBO the episode is 72 minutes long. They basically have to go through all the stuff I said in the spoiler so I expect this episode to be all over the place tying up said knots.

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

Originally Posted by maxpowr9

So, Dan & Dave totally dropped the ball with Catelyn. In the books, Catelyn releases Jaime AFTER she discovers that Theon [supposedly] killed Bran and Rickon. That motive causes her to get her girls back at any cost. In the show, that is clearly not the case and that scene between Rob and Catelyn is a total wash and just completely out of character for Catelyn. It seems that many other reviewers who have read the books feel this has been the biggest faux pas yet in the series.

Still a selfish act no matter how it's painted. So does it really matter?

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

A list of new characters for season 3 is up on Entertainment Weekly's website, and I am excited to see a few of these characters come to life. First, Meera and Jojen Reed. Someone stated before that they had been merged into Osha's character, and I was a little bummed. Jojen in particular is instrumental in helping Bran hone his abilities. I'm glad that we will actually get to see their story play out. Then, we get to see the "Queen of Thorns" Olenna Redwyne. I loved Loras and Margaery's grandmother in the books and can't wait to see her on screen. Last but not least, Mance Rayder. What can you say about the King Beyond the Wall? He's a mysterious, almost legendary figure in the books, and when we do finally get introduced to him, he turns out to be an awesome character as well. I am really looking forward to season 3. I just don't know if I can wait a full year, though.

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

This episode was thrilling from beginning to end. How could this have been placed anywhere else but in this finale? Was Tyrion injured before last episode? Was Theon taken down last episode?

The House of the Undying was thrilling and magical and very, very pleasing. Mother of Dragons don't take no shit.

Dany's parts were the best parts of the episode, freaking loved it! I liked the prophecy scenes and when her dragons finally burned...can't remember his name right now. Also, Dany is setting sail guys! She means srs bidness now.

Also, Sansa not actually being free is kinda sad, but hopefully the Hound will really help her, because I do not trust that Petyr Baelish fucker.

And I'm not sure what's going on with Tyrion, I know he said why he didn't want to leave, but he should. I hope he doesn't get hurt again or worse, killed, if he stays on Castle Rock...

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

Originally Posted by Native Son

Still a selfish act no matter how it's painted. So does it really matter?

It is selfish but still it gives them a reason. Rob would be the last male to pass on the Stark name so he needs babies now. Catelyn has her motherly intuition kick into high gear and needs her daughters back now before they are slain.

Originally Posted by Hawkinout

Dany's parts were the best parts of the episode, freaking loved it! I liked the prophecy scenes and when her dragons finally burned...can't remember his name right now. Also, Dany is setting sail guys! She means srs bidness now.

Also, Sansa not actually being free is kinda sad, but hopefully the Hound will really help her, because I do not trust that Petyr Baelish fucker.

And I'm not sure what's going on with Tyrion, I know he said why he didn't want to leave, but he should. I hope he doesn't get hurt again or worse, killed, if he stays on Castle Rock...

Not surprisingly, a crap ton of stuff was cut from the House of the Undying scene. The prophesying goes into far greater detail in the books (the entire house stuff lasts for like 50 pages) like Dany being the "the slayer of lies" about the false kings in Westeros.

As for Sansa, call it spoilers but remember from season 1, Petyr Baelish has been friend-zoned by Catelyn since they were teenagers. Note how Petyr keeps making observations how Sansa reminds her of Catelyn and well, you see where that is going...

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

Good finale! I have read all of the books, and I was almost tempted to reread the 2nd book after the season was over...but I couldn't deal with the inane details and long descriptions of each knight again. I kinda wished that they stuck to the book a little bit in the finale. There are some details that they left out, and some that they put in themselves. The white walkers didn't appear like that in the book right?

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

I loved Season 01, but Season 02 ended up being on the lukewarm side for me. There were a ton of amazing things, but overall it was way too simplified, compared to the book. I know those are separate mediums, which is why I have no trouble with changes, but when I could see all the changes were made almost entirely in order to dumb down the story... Not cool. Though 10 episodes is nowhere near enough for that book ,and I'm glad A Storm of Swords will be split in two seasons.

Also, they need a bigger budget. Noticeably.

That we are capable only of being what we are, remains our unforgivable sin.
- Gene Wolfe

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

Originally Posted by Rolyo85

Also, they need a bigger budget. Noticeably.

You do realize that season 2 cost just over $100 million to make? I do agree that there should have been 12 or 13 episodes or "extended" episodes (75 minutes) as the story was stretched way too thin. Season 3 will be up to Joffrey's wedding so there is plenty of story to go for 10 episodes.

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

Yeah, I know it's expensive as it is. But knowing doesn't really erase the fact that multiple scenes were put there or changed exclusively to save money. Like Dani's dragons being hidden half the time, or the Blackwater stuff...

That we are capable only of being what we are, remains our unforgivable sin.
- Gene Wolfe

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

so, i finally saw the first episode of season 3. im super excited to have GoT back. but i think this was one of the shows weaker episodes. still perfectly entertaining, of course, but not great. it just felt like a bunch of stuff happening rather than a chapter of an ongoing story. also, like in season 2, the special effects are hit and miss. i guess thats inevitable, as the scope widens and the supernatural elements become more prominent. the casting and acting is, as always, top notch.

(mild spoilers ahead)

characters i love:
danaerys - soooooo excited about her upcoming storyline
lady margaery & ser loras - those two rock, and i cant wait for lady olena to show up
lady catlyne - although, having read the books, i dont love where her story is going.
jaime & brienne - im such a 'shipper for those two
arya - love love love
gendry - i kinda forgot what happens to him, but hes a great sidekick for arya
tyrion
yara/asha - i dont love the greyjoy subplot, but shes cool
osha & igritte - wildling women rock!
grenn - hands down the most gorgeous actor here, and hes got some stiff competition.
bronn - didnt care much for him in the books, but in the series, hes hilarious.
varys - reading is fundamental! the library is open!

characters i love to hate:
cersei - as with catelyne, i wish her story was different, but i like the character
melissandre - although she may turn out to be one of the good guys, after all
king geoffrey, tywin lanister, lord bolton - hate hate hate hate hate so much hate
little finger - evil bastard

characters that bore me:
davos - hes alright, but his stories never really excite me. the actor does a great job, admittedly.
jon snow - zzz
sam - zzzzzzzzzzzz
sansa stark - oh god stop being such a stupid cunt
rikon stark - i bet martin would retcon him away if he could.
everybody in dorne - probably too early to worry about them, tho

characters i can take or leave:
theon - dudes going some ugly places
bran - his storyline mostly bores me, but it may be interesting to visualize it, since so much weird shit goes down
roz - she has potential as a double-agent for varys (which i presume she is now)
the hound
rob stark

I hope Joffrey is poisoned and the two Starks are killed. Lady Stoneheart would be badass...the likelihood of that happening is slim though...

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

I believe the season finale is supposed to be the Royal Wedding and not the other RW. I don't think they can adequately build up two of the major plot points into one season. There is just too much ground to cover and there isn't a lot of fluff like A Dance With Dragons

Some of the reveals are out of place compared to the book like Ser Barristan but I feel this is one of the better 'film' adaptation events that had to happen as viewers will just be baffled by the "old man" and his storytelling and there is lots of good ones to come. Another change I have been liking is Shae. In the books she is truly a money grubbing whore but in the TV show, she has a much more human side. Especially for book readers, you see a lot of seeds being planted [no pun intended] that come to fruition later in the series. I could list them all but if you read the books, you know all the foreshadowing that happened in this episode...

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

Littlefinger and Sansa, Margaery and Cersei, Shae and "Ros", Tyrion and Tywin, Roose Bolton and well "the entire North"

I just get a chuckle that people are starting to hate the Jon Snow story arc too.

The viewer has to keep in mind that this is a serial so you won't have that "season opening" feel like a typical show and this just drops you into the action. You can't just start watching the show fresh now and expect to follow along easily.

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

this doesnt really have anything to do with ice & fire, but im giving away "the steel remains" and its sequel "the cold commands" by richard k. morgan. (my parents got me a kindle for xmas, so im getting rid of all my pulp novels). so, if anybodys interested. id just expect you to pay for the shipping, i live in amsterdam.

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

Originally Posted by rotary

These pauses between seasons are too long. Half my time during the premier was spent trying to remember what was happening. Looks like a season 2 rewatch is in order

It's worse when you're reading the books as you won't have a character's chapter for 300 pages at times. I took up my friend's suggestion and kept a small journal on my readings so I would not get lost when I read. I get the feeling that a lot of the ancillary plot lines that add more life to the "World of Westeros" will be cut because it will only distract the already complicated story as it is.

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

These pauses between seasons are too long. Half my time during the premier was spent trying to remember what was happening. Looks like a season 2 rewatch is in order

The pauses for readers of the series has been measured in years!

Wallace's Birdwing

The worst thing...is not energy depletion, economic collapse, conventional war, or the expansion of totalitarian governments. As terrible as these catastrophes would be for us, they can be repaired in a few generations. The one process now going on that will take millions of years to correct is loss of genetic and species diversity by the destruction of natural habitats. This is the folly our descendants are least likely to forgive us.--e.o. wilson

Re: A song of ice and fire: HBO's Game of Thrones

I actually found the reading the Wikipedia plot summary to be useful to remember what happened in previous books. Not tempted to go and re-read the books.

Slow episode last night...but understand the need to set up the storylines.

LOL "exposition" this is all rising action again with foreshadowing of the season's climax.

Again, another Catelyn flub tonight. Dave & Dan must really hate her as a character because that's two major flubs with her. Her dad isn't dead yet in the books. In fact, his death is what sends Catelyn into an emotional death spiral. At least from the books, there is this notion that Catelyn is so focused on The War that she doesn't allow herself to grieve all the death around her. This was touched upon early in season 2. When she witnesses her father's death, it literally hits home and Cat becomes as bat shit crazy as her sister [oh we will see her again but not for a LONG while!].

I get a kick out of all the Dowager references to Lady Olenna from reviewers when the book was written long before Downton Abbey was even a thought. Noob writers!!!

I do like the flushed out Margaery compared to the book where I don't think she gets PoV chapters till Feast for Crows.

I can't fucking wait until next week when Varys and Lady Olenna match wits.

It's amusing to watch the falls of various characters after book 2 where many of them peaked. Tyrion is no longer the Hand. Rob Stark admits attrition is taking a toll on his army and with most of his family supposedly dead, it's extremely hard to keep morale up. The Black storyline just starts to suck. Bran's story is just weird and gets weirder. Arya's story tapers off. Dany peaks in this book so her story line is gonna be quite good, hopefully!

Spoiler: (Highlight this box to see the hidden message.)

There is one thing that infuriates me post-facto to reading. How so many of characters nearly cross paths but never actually meet. Martin is evil like that.